Summer Livin'

Summer keeps trucking along. I did more kid fitness camps at our house, which the kids love. My kids took a fun tennis camp in the neighborhood. And our cousins came in town. So much swimming, bike riding and more!

Hunter meets up with his friends many times a week to explore and ride. Such a fun group of boys. We also spend a lot of time at Westside. The corona virus is still out there...so we are trying to keep in our community. But, my kids still have to be kids. So, I am trying to find a balance of physical and mental health! Such crazy times in history. There is so much I could type. Between corona virus, Black lives matter, police protest. I mean....I don't even know what to say. I'm just trying to keep my kids lives protected and happy.

I finally found a bike for Scott!! Happy Fathers Day!! There are no bikes available...anywhere! I guess factories are closed? And more people are spending time outside and buying bikes? Regardless, it took months for me to find a bike for Scott. He needed one. Just in time for Fathers Day. Sam put it together for Scott, and the handlebars were put on backwards. After we teased Sam, we figured it out and Scott has loved the family bike rides. Many more to come!!! Summer keeps trucking! Its a different summer for sure, but my goal is to keep my kids smiling!

Apartment Living (House Renovation)

After months and months of preparing...we have taken the big step! We moved out into an apartment during renovation of our home. We are adding on 2 bedrooms, playroom, patio, porch, laundry room, and renovating the rest. It is time. We have broken pipes in the house, tub doesn't work, doors rotting, cabinets broken, no water pressure, locks broken. Not to mention...it is just 1800 square feet. So we are busting out the seams! You get it!!! It is time! But we LOVE our home and the memories we have there, so we didn't want to sell. We wanted to keep our home, just make it a better version of our home. We are so excited!!

So, we are renting an apartment where Scott and I actually lived when we first got married. It's just down the street, so we are close to friends and our stomping grounds. But we had to empty our ENTIRE house, which took forever. But, we quickly got settled into the apartment. We will likely be here between 6-8 months. We put a lot in storage, we kept apartment pretty simple. But, I still wanted it to feel like home!

We actually really like it. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a patio. We had the kids all share a room, so we could also have a playroom/school room. We love it. Then, we enclosed the patio with a fence and turf...to make "backyard" for the dogs. It's going to be great. We have a pool, park and playground. The kids feel like they are on vacation! Sweet things!

I had one last idea before the workers started work on Britoak. We had an EPIC SLEEPOVER! The kids invited some friends, cousins and neighbors. We painted the walls, ate pizza, loud music, dance party, pillow fights and face masks! LOL! It was wild. It was fun. It was the perfect way to end this chapter. We are excited about this next chapter, and we are so grateful for the love this home has provided so far!

We put sleeping bags on the hardwood floors for the night. I was the only adult, ha! I had a small cot in the hallway. All the kids slept fine...except my boys! Hunter stepped on a rusted nail while playing hide and seek. His foot was hurting him so bad. We actually had to go get a tetanus shot the next day. I swear....that child better start wearing shoes. I made it through the night...with my boys and me in a tiny cot. I woke up at 5am to train my clients in my driveway. With a house full of sleeping kids. What an adventure. What a way to end this season of life. This house held loads of kids, laughter and memories through the 7 years we have lived here. There is no place like home. This next season of life will bring a newer version of our home that we love so much!

Frio River (Annual Trip)

We love Leakey, Tx! This year looked different for us. The corona virus is still roaring, so many of our usual family members didn't join the annual reunion. But, we stayed distanced and enjoyed our isolated campground.

It was Lou's first time to join us on vacation, first time at the Frio River...and she LOVED it! We couldn't keep her out of the water. She also slept so hard! We floated the river, enjoyed good food and time with my brothers families. The kids love their cousins so much! These are memories they will cherish forever. Lots of BB gun, fishing and swimming. Camp Live Oak is the campground we stay at, and the property is just amazing!

Sam turned 21!!! So, I took him to the Leakey liquor store and let him buy whatever he wanted. He made quiet the trip, and I enjoyed the memory of his 21st birthday on the Frio. We giggled as he kept adding stuff to the cart, then I handed him my card for him to buy it himeself. So fun!

The water was at the perfect level. The kids did the rope swing a million times. And Hunter stepped on barbwire fence...it got stuck in his foot. I was already showered and dressed, but had to jump in and swim across the river to get him out of the fence. Then, hold him over my head to prevent his foot from getting river water in the wound. We made it back to campground and there was a nurse (thankfully!) She cleaned it up really good, and he was fine. He was sore, but it could have been worse! Keeping it adventurous!

Although it was a smaller group than usual this year, it was great. It was simple. It was perfect. I love our family so so much, and I am so glad that we get to make all these memories together. I always think of my dad while at the Frio. We miss him so much! We know that he would be so proud that we are keeping the Frio River traditions going strong! Another year...another great trip to the Frio River!

End of School

The end of the school year has come. This is a school year that will NEVER be forgotten. The year that school got out in March! Coronavirus pandemic! We homeschooled the best we could. We had good days, bad days. We were trying to follow all the safety rules, while still trying to let kids be kids. It has been a balancing act. As the month draws to an end, school is over...things are slowly getting back to normal. Bike rides and outdoor playtime with friends fill our days! And Lou!!! Lots of time with Lou. She is growing like a weed and so fun!

 Mothers Day!!! I have earned this mothers day! ha! Weeks and weeks of nonstop time with the kids. What a gift to have this time with my kids. What precious memories. Simple days. But, momma needed a break! And I got it! The husbands got us a night at Hotel ZaZa! It was heavenly. We spent the day by the pool, walked to dinner and slept in!! I adore these friends. And we have made this a new annual tradition!

 The school year wrapped up with Faith Ann's graduation. Kindergarten graduation parade. We loaded Scott's truck with signs and banners. Faith Ann thought this was so fun. Beau, Kate and cousins filled Scott's truck....all for Faith Ann! We drove by the school. Mrs. Rincon gave her the cap and gown. We took a picture, and that was it! But, what a special night. Surrounded by love, celebration and family

More time with cousin Ally!!! We love our time with her. Snowcone runs, bike rides and more!!! I am also teaching kid fitness sessions at my house this summer. Just a couple weeks. My kids are the "helpers." They take their job very seriously! I love it!!!! Some of their friends take the classes, and it is so neat to watch them learn and grow together. Faith Ann is getting some seriously strong shoulders these days! Hard work paying off!

 Hunter also had an end of the year parade to say goodbye to his teachers. This was an odd year! A year of change, learning, history and uncertainaty! But, it was a year to remember. A year to grow from. A year that we will hold onto in our hearts and memory forever. Goodbye to the school year that changed my kids lives, my life, our life! Let's see what the months ahead bring.